Sheikh Rashid hopeful allies to vote for electoral reforms

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday said he was hopeful that the allied parties of the government would vote in favour of the proposed electoral reforms.

Addressing media in Islamabad, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Prime Minister Imran Khan would talk with the allies on Monday regarding the electoral reforms. He had full hope that the allies would agree with the government on that, he said adding that the electronic voting machine (EVM) was a source of stopping rigging.

PM Khan had convened a joint parliamentary session on November 5, nevertheless, it was postponed ostensibly after reservations of allies of the government over the proposed election reforms, which included usage of the EVM and facility of I-voting for overseas Pakistanis.

The government has also sought cooperation of the opposition on legislation in this regard.

The interior minister said soon decision about the joint session of the parliament would be announced. “I have hope from Allah (SWT) that all the matters will be settled in a better way,” he said.

To threats of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of the opposition, to carry out protest march towards Islamabad against the rising inflation, he said the government would meet them in a good way, if they did not take the law into their hands.

“Even if provinces have any issue, protestors march towards Islamabad. If the PDM will come, the matter will be looked into in a kindly manner,” he said.